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High 5s: 5/8/12

May 8, 2012

We're a week away from our first MHSAA spring postseason events, and these contenders -- all reigning MHSAA champions -- have been playing at that elite level all season.

Katie Brozovich
Clarkston senior
Tennis

Brozovich, a Division 1 all-state selection and MHSAA champion at No. 3 singles in 2011, is playing the top spot this season and continuing to shine. She downed Port Huron Northern No. 1 Taylor Sweeney 6-4, 6-1 in the championship match of Saturday's Holly Red and White Invitational, and Clarkston tied for first as a team. Brozovich has signed with Bowling Green State University and is 15-0. She comes from a tennis family -- her grandfather, father and aunt all play, and cousins Lizzie and Rae Brozovich won Nos. 3 and 4 singles for Port Huron Northern at Holly.

Secret to my success: “I condition a lot. I don’t get tired. I can run all day. I can just get to everything. I can keep pressure on opponents. What I’m working on too is every shot getting something on the ball. I try to work really hard on the court.”

I learned the most about tennis from: "My grandpa (Richard Brozovich) drilled me on the court. He knows so much about the game, and we play each other a couple times a week. He helps me condition. ... My coach Joe (Stafford, from Deer Lake Athletic Club) is really good with strokes. He knows my game inside an out."

I look up to: "My aunt Sue Kaleel (formerly Brozovich, Kaleel won four championships at Miami (Ohio) and has competed internationally). I model (my game) after her. She's extremely consistent, but also puts a lot of pressure on her opponent. That's what I want my game to be."

Dream match: "I would like to see (Pete) Sampras play (Roger) Federer right now. Just to know how the old game comes to play against the new style of play. The old strokes against the new."

Up next: Brozovich will study psychology at Bowling Green and hopes to eventually become a psychiatrist. Studies of the mind have always interested her, and like tennis run in the family -- her grandfather and uncle both work in the field.

(Click to read more)

Mike Nagy
Manistique senior
Golf

Nagy, a two-time Upper Peninsula MHSAA individual champion (2009 and 2011; he lost a two-hole tie-breaker at the 2010 Final), shot a pair of 36s to finish first at two recent home matches. He's signed with the University of Tennessee, and according to multiple reports will be only the second Manistique High grad to play any sport at the Division I college level since 1963. He owns his school's record of a 31 in a nine-hole match, shot when he was a sophomore, and he fired an 18-hole 66 at last spring's league tournament. Nagy also played basketball, and set a school record with six 3-pointers in a game this season.

Golf is my game: "I really enjoy the individual part of it. I would say ball-striking (is my strength), with my irons."

I learned the most about golf from: "Probably just on my own. I like to watch a lot of golf, lots of video. (My parents) like to watch it a lot more than they used to." 

I'd like to play like: "I'm a big Adam Scott fan. He has a really nice swing."

If I could pick three more for a foursome: "Adam Scott. And then between Annika (Sorenstam), Tiger (Woods) and Jack Nicklaus. I really liked watching Annika play. She made it look so simple. Tiger, obviously because of what he's accomplished. I'd like to see how he handles it up there." 

Up next: Nagy is considering a major in business. He's hoping to crack the Volunteers' lineup in his first season; there are eight players on the team, and five travel.

(Click to read more.)

Grosse Pointe South girls track and field

The Blue Devils are the reigning Division 1 MHSAA champion and again are led by distance runner Hannah Meier, who set the all-Finals records in the 1,600 and 800 meters last spring. But more is ahead for Meier and especially teammates Haley Meier, Ersula Farrow and Kelsie Schwartz; they've run in the 3,200 relay in 8:59.69, which would crush the MHSAA Finals record if they can do the same next month. (Click to read more.)

This spring's previous honorees

Clakrston Everest Collegiate celebrates its repeat championship Saturday at The Meadows.

Clarkston Everest Follows Individual Standouts to Repeat Team Championship

By Dean Holzwarth
Special for MHSAA.com

June 8, 2024

ALLENDALE – Clarkston Everest Collegiate coach David Smith may be a bit biased, but he believed he had two of the top players in Division 4 on his roster entering the season.

Smith’s top performers delivered, and it paved the way to a repeat title.

Everest won the Lower Peninsula Division 4 Boys Golf Final with a two-day total of 664 Saturday at The Meadows at Grand Valley State.

The Mountaineers defeated runner-up Grandville Calvin Christian by eight strokes, while Hillsdale Academy (674) placed third. 

Everest junior Will Pennanen won the medalist honor after shooting a 148 total. He was the only golfer in the field to shoot in the 70s both days.

His teammate, junior Parker Stalcup, closed with a final round 74 to finish fourth at 157.

“We had two of our top guys from last year back and I thought were the best players in Division 4,” Smith said. “And I think they proved today that they are. They just shot good numbers when the pressure was on.

“Will has been chasing Parker, and they are best buddies. Parker pushes Will, and Will pushes Parker. This weekend Will had the better score, and last time it was Parker. They just cheer for each other and encourage and support each other, which makes them both a lot better.” 

Pennanen fired a 76 on Friday amid extremely windy conditions and followed that up with an even-par 72.

Everest and Hillsdale Academy golfers finish a hole.He edged runner-up Michael Houtteman, of Maple City Glen Lake, by three strokes.

 “It was crazy wind (Friday), and I was just trying to stay patient and make as many pars as possible,” Pennanen said. “Just keep the big numbers off the scorecard, just like today. I played well today. I left a few shots out there, but made a lot of birdies and chipped in for eagle.”

The eagle was the highlight of the day, taking place on the par-5, 14th hole.

“I’ve won tournaments before, but this one was really special to do with my team, too,” Pennanen said. “We have a lot of great players, and everyone has been stepping up and playing good. It was a team effort.”

Also contributing for Everest, which won’t graduate a starter, were juniors Mark Cross and Jimmy Schmitt and sophomores Nolan Alban and Dominic Walker.

“We played as a team today, and yesterday,” Stalcup said. “I don’t think at any point we thought we were going to lose this tournament.

“We gained two sophomores who didn’t play last year, so that was huge for our team. Obviously it’s always a cool experience to win the state finals, and we will come back next year stronger.”

Grandville Calvin Christian entered the final round in fifth place, but posted the best team total Saturday to jump into the second spot. The Squires shot a 322, which was 28 shots better than Day 1.

Sophomore Will Orme carded a final round 75 and finished with a 162, while junior Josh VanderWal had a 79 and closed with a 167.

“We say every stroke counts, and it certainly does,” Calvin Christian coach Herm Medema said. “We talked about it last night and this morning at our meetings that we are not that far away. First place was a little bit of a wish, but second place was very doable, and the guys never gave up.

“They kept at it, and it was a pleasure to see. They were more comfortable in their surroundings and a much looser group. They got after it and supported each other so well.”

The runner-up finish was the Squires’ best since they won the Lower Peninsula Class C Final in 1989.

Hillsdale Academy was led by Rykert Frisinger, who finished third individually at 155. 

Click for full results.

PHOTOS (Top) Clakrston Everest Collegiate celebrates its repeat championship Saturday at The Meadows. (Middle) Everest and Hillsdale Academy golfers finish a hole. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)